Daisychaining KVM's
Just wondering if anyone has tried this before and had it work. Basically I have a 4 port KVM but now have 6 computers I'd like to use on it. There's a special on the Dlink 2port all in one kvm's for $35 cdn so I'm considering trying a daisychain so I can have video on all my boxen.
I can think of several reasons why it'd be bad and wouldn't work all that well (mostly signal integrity, various bad load balancing issues), but whaddaya think? I'm not willing to blow my $200 KVM so don't expect me to try it if no one else can verify it'll most likely work
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I can think of several reasons why it'd be bad and wouldn't work all that well (mostly signal integrity, various bad load balancing issues), but whaddaya think? I'm not willing to blow my $200 KVM so don't expect me to try it if no one else can verify it'll most likely work
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Comments
EDIT - Nevermind.
TOTAL cable lengths from the I\O peripheral to the computer node off of second KVM are more likely to degrade signal integrity than a KVM chain per se. But, pin mapping could be fun. IF the KVMs can be stacked, you can just use short cabling. The KVMs internally boost signal typically.
Actually two ways to handle signal integrity-- shorter to minimum needed unshielded cabling, or heavily shielded cable where cable or total cable length from box being accessed to peripheral has to be long. The second KVM will boost signal. Enterprise folks stack and daisy-chain KVMs all the time, they are essentially box-to-peripheral signal routers.
But, mixing KVM brands like this, I do not know about. I would stay with same brand for whole relay chain if possible. You are not likely to blow the KVM you have, though. But you might end up reselling a $35.00 CDN KVM.... One of the tricks with a Daisy chain is to use POWERED KVMs, with power to each from outlet and a voltage transformer inline for little ones. I would not use unpowered KVMs if you have a total cable length of over 25-30' to any computer and cable is not plenum grade shielded.
John D.
I havent tried it personally, but I can add to your bad idea list.. if these kvm's use hot-key switching then there could be trouble.. also cheap KVM's seem to draw power from the pc's so this could give power issues...
the only real solution to this issue would be to get a box that supported daisy chaining (and usb aswell
4 PC : http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/f1da104t.html
8 PC : http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/f1da108t.html
perhaps ebay would like your existing switch? there is currently a new 8 port kvm (f1da108t) with cables on ebay for $300..
There are some built to do this. I have seen Belkin's that you could hang four x four and still hot key the whole system. But htey were built for it.
Jon A.
Given your cabling lengths, well worth a try. I have seen well sheilded cables total 250 feet plus from peripherals through KVM stacks using powered KVM stacking. Those cables are expensive as heck.
Unlike with motors that use large mag fields, if you use externally powered KVMs, you should NOT get equipment damage including KVM damage. Defective cable is another story, though.... With STACKED PS\2 port powered KVMs, if you run too long on many cables you might get an underpowered KVM and COMPUTER port or power circuitry damage from a computer being forced to provide too much power. Note the bit about how the KVM is powered please, in deciding. PS\2 port powered KVMs typically pull from every computer hooked to them from PS\2 port, so if you try to power two from same number oir less of computers as you now do one, you could possibly get computer damage. With external transformer or power supply powering, this will not happen.